Bottega Restaurant
Editorial
The slatted windows on the outside give some idea of the stylishness to be found within this city restaurant. The interior has been well designed, but not overly so - it's still comfortable with upholstered chairs, double tablecloths and enough soft surfaces to encourage conversation. Chef Nicky Reimer, who now heads up the kitchen, has excellent credentials (trained by Stephanie Alexander of Langton's) and has returned to Melbourne after a stint in Hong Kong. Her modern Italian cooking style showcases a blend of top ingredients, Italian flavours and techniques, and elegant presentation, and her menus always reflect the seasons beautifully.
Look out for such dishes as a carpaccio of Wagyu beef with porcini mushroom-flavoured mayonnaise and crisped mushrooms, or roasted pigeon with mustard fruits and cannellini beans and lemon olive oil. The braises and fish dishes are always good and so are the vegetables and salads (at an additional cost). Waiters are knowledgeable and professional and daily specials supplement the menu. The wine list is considerable, but well chosen - it offers a wide range of Italian, Australian and French wines, with a considered selection available by the glass.
Rita Erlich, July 2007
User Feedback
Nikski
April 02, 2007
I went here for a food & wine festival lunch which was superb. I had the calamari for entree & steak for main. The service was great & so was the coffee. The Food & Wine Fest definitely inspired me to go back for a dinner.
Jordan
October 25, 2007
The service here was excellent, very attentive and the waitress was lovely. We had a super meal and Id definitely return.
ijah
March 17, 2008
I went to Bottega for the lunch express menu and will return based on a good dining experience! We got a footpath seat because we booked at the last minute, although we weren't neglected by the waiers (as sometimes tends to be the case when you're seated outside). Loved the duck carpaccio entree!
Narelle
April 23, 2008
I had the most amazing meal at Bottega; starting with an extensive wine list, fantastic service and the most divine freshly made Gnocchi.
Not happy
August 19, 2010
A group of fourteen went for lunch and want to warn you that the service was absolutely despicable. In addition, the food was bland and of average quality. The wait staff were rude, argumentative and insulting. The owner even absued a couple of us before leaving....This is not a pleasant place to enjoy a meal!
Jess
August 19, 2010
Went for lunch only to be insulted. The staff were rude from the moment we got there. They initially refused although later allowed us to order from the a la carte menu and said we could have set lunch. The waiters grumbled, huffed and puffed when asked to put our tables together rather than sitting across the restaurant. They were surly and un-attentive throughout the meal and rude when asked for parmesan cheese. As we were leaving, the head waiter approached and reprimanded us for not changing the booking. They refused to take the entertainment book card saying we “got a good enough deal already”. After this blasting, one of our party commented that she was disappointed with the quality of the food and service, he told her not to come back and said make sure you tell all your friends not to either. FINALLY he said, if you’re thinking of taking this further, not to bother, as he was the owner. Despicable service, the food was bland and unappetising.
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